In the last RoC, one of the tasks that came up for me (solo) was for a product from a factory that was available for me to build that I hadn't built yet. I had to leave the task on the board since the factory couldn't be built in the time remaining in the race.
Now during the seasonal regatta I'm not sure about taking a mystery task since I have chosen not to build the zoo. I don't want to get a zoo task just because the game sees my level and thinks I should have a zoo.
So, I guess my question is - What determines what the mystery task is? Obviously (or maybe not), the task is going to be linked to the level of the player who chooses it, even though there are players of different levels in the co-op.
One thing I have learned the hard way: DON'T take a mystery task if you are not completely caught up on all the factories, islands, etc. I assume that goes for the zoo, too. I do not actually know if zoo tasks can be mystery tasks, I've never experienced that (although I typically stay away from them, probably due to a paranoia pill overdose) so someone else will have to chime in on that.
But my off-the-cuff advice is avoid mystery tasks if you are not 100% caught up.
BlueSkyTown, Neighbor Jane, Eiggam and Chorilandia Agrees with this post
I've picked the mystery task several times and have always liked what I got EXCEPT for today. I got a mining task, which normally I like and usually take as a task anyway, when I have the tools. Today however when that surprise task came up I had a grand total of 6 mining tools! NOT GOOD. I do see the humor in this though and I will probably pick a surprise task again. (When I have an abundance of mining tools)
This regatta I’ve picked 3 mystery tasks and dumped one. It was a crop one that based on my fields at the time would have meant I had to use multiple boosters. The other 2 tasks were to fill 3 planes, which of course I was waiting for a plane to land, and collect olives, and of course I had boats at my docks from a different island . My good luck will remain a mystery this regatta.
Never take a mystery task if you want to place in the top 3. A player took a mystery task first thing and it was a 15 hour grow task. You will get an olive task when all ships are out to fish isle, a zoo task when you already did one and have to buy all of them -- or wait 2 days until they come in. I never take a mystery and vote they should be discontinued.
I have done a lot of mystery tasks and enjoy the surprise. I have gotten garden tasks that I hate but I do them and have gotten a zoo task after just completing one so I know that pain. But I still like them. My co-op also finishes in the top 3 a lot